Charging by the stitch is tough, because that means I can't tell them a price until I get what they want into my machine, and then I feel like people will feel pressured to agree with whatever I say.

I guess I'll throw in some samples of different name lengths and font sizes so I can tell people what -those- would cost to give them an idea. I have multiple people who want me to monogram blankets and towels and I have no interest in doing it as a "favor" :)

TeeGee- I don't know what you mean by spoilage allowance. It sounds like that is if I provide the garment. This would be embroidering things people bring to me (which means if my machine decides to go haywire- which it has only done once, and even then I was able to rip out the embroidery- I would assume I'm on the hook for replacing things... might need to claim that I have no responsibility for that.)

There's a woman in our neighborhood that told me she does not turn on her embroidery machine for less than $9. I had our school monogram put on a doll sweatshirt---3 letters about 3/4 inch each and she charged $18.

ETA: don't forget to charge for your time. Nothing's worse than the feeling of doing all that work for $2 an hour! -- Edited on 3/6/13 8:56 AM --

Quote: Skittl1321 TeeGee- I don't know what you mean by spoilage allowance. It sounds like that is if I provide the garment. This would be embroidering things people bring to me (which means if my machine decides to go haywire- which it has only done once, and even then I was able to rip out the embroidery- I would assume I'm on the hook for replacing things... might need to claim that I have no responsibility for that.)

Yes !

Spoilage means embroidery accidents can happen,no matter how careful the embroiderer is.(Ask me how I know). If it is an expensive item the customer provides,he/she will want to be reimbursed for the item.One has to figure in a percentage of spoilage into every customer order,or the embroiderer will be out of money,should something go wrong.

I never embroidered for money,it's a hobby for me.I enjoy creating embroidered gifts and can't imagine embroidering 1000 stitches for 1 dollar on my domestic embroidery machine,even if it is for my best friend.I rather do it for free !

I use better quality stabilizers and my embroidery threads are expensive,I don't buy online either.I always use a wash away stabilizer topper when I embroider letters,(and sometimes with other designs too,depending on the fabric,not just terry towels). But.... I don't wash the item after I finish embroidering.I rip and or pick the wash away stabilizer away where it might still be visible after I finish embroidering.

I think Embroidery Library,or maybe it was another site has pictures where one can see the difference between using a stabilizer topper and not using one.I saw the difference with my own eyes when I watched a dealer embroider the same words with and without a stabilizer wash away topper on the same fabric.

Commercial embroiderers might charge a dollar per 1000 stitches,but .....their machines embroider very fast ! They also charge a minimum charge per name,it could be as low as a couple of dollars or more,plus extra charges I mentioned above.

You said it would take you 45 minutes to embroider.Does that include set up,hooping etc. ? How much money would you like to earn in one hour ?

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